10 IoT security concerns to keep in mind before developing apps

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Internet of Things (IoT) boom has brought us to security Concerns previously unthought of. With 24 billion devices to go online in public-domain alone in 2020, this isn’t turning out quite the news industry pundits thought it will turn out to be.

Web APIs, or more specifically REST APIs, are key to connect these devices to the internet. IoT devices are driven by handheld devices and modern websites. Thus lightweight, developer-friendly REST APIs are the need of the hour.

Source: Statista.com

Organizations looking for opportunity in IoT with REST APIs in order to develop an app to gain access, control or command an IoT device must not ignore the following security threats that revolve around IoT app development.

Privacy

There are number of connected devices that collect personal information: Name, DOB, address, credit card information, etc. Some of the devices transmit that info across the network without any kind of encryption procedure, which may be an easy for an interceptor to trace, and read.Cloud computing services which are utilized by number of devices are also vulnerable.

Hardware issues

As there is a great hike of mobility solutions and cloud computing with IoT, number of chip makers is strengthening their processors for extra security with each new generation. The latest architecture of chips prepared particularly for the IoT devices. Also the multifaceted design will need more battery power which is absolutely a challenge for IoT apps.

Encryption of data

Number of devices makes use of unencrypted network services. Most of the devices failed to encrypt the data even that devices are connected with internet. They should perform transport encryption where information transformation between two devices will be encrypted. It will be very significant to overcome security concerns.

Web interface

With the constant cross-site scripting, simple default passwords and weak session management are the concerns when it comes to user web interface. These are the plus points for hackers to easily identify accounts of users and misuse it for their benefits. Vulnerabilities will get a great hike with these.

Less network awareness

Many organizations are not completely aware about what is there on the network and therefore cannot evaluate if they have any IoT devices that is configured wrongly. It is quite difficult to maintain a view like dashboard of each single device on the network.

Insecure software

Numbers of person are not able to set passwords that are sufficient in complexity and length. So their devices are dependent on quite simple passwords. It will be great source for hackers to hack their devices as the passwords are very easy to encrypt. So they need to follow strong password policy that will be the base for good security. Authentication issues of data may not be straight but they will be the reason for a security risk for sure.

Side channel attacks

Such attack focuses less on the information and gives more importance on how that information is being showcased. Like if anyone can access data such as information of timings or power consumption or sound, everything can be utilized for this side channel attack.

Rogue IoT devices

The rising incidence of rogue connected devices is hidden within enterprise secretly that makes the network smaller day by day. Raspberry Pi or Wi Fi Pineapple is the best examples of rogue IoT devices. An attacker can use one of these devices and connect other devices to a rogue device. Those other devices are from financial institutions and other types of companies as well.

Protection from corporation

The corporation’s interconnected devices could use rogue device to collect personal data when it comes to money transfer. So consumers have to go through each single agreement before signing when receiving any device. Also take a look on device’s corporation’s policies regarding safety of the data.

How to improve IoT security now?

Perform clear emphasis on security from the day one is always a superior

Get important updates regularly throughout the lifecycle

Implementation of secure access control as well as device authentication

As an IoT application developer, one should always be careful of threats. Security break is almost happen once or twice or more than that and you should be ready for them. You should always be prepared with an exit preparation to secure data in case of any attack or vulnerabilities.

co-founded Peerbits, one of the leading app development company USA, in 2011. His visionary leadership and flamboyant management style have yield fruitful results for the company. He believes in sharing his strong knowledge base with a leaned concentration on entrepreneurship and business.